Fuel economizer and carbon reducer



Jufiy 1, 1924. 1,499,786

G. C. RUHMANN ET AL FUEL'ECONOMIZER AND CARBON REDUCER- Filed Sept. 19, 1922 iiilll llll 1 ill Grovr C. Mina);

Patented July 1, 1924.

umrsn GROVER o. nUHMAnnAND E'Lo PARKER, ornament TEXAS.

FUEL nooivomrznn AND cannon nnnucnn'.

Application filed September 19, 1922; Serial Ho. 583,273; J

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be'it known that we, and ELO E. PARKER, States, residing at Kenedy, Karnes and State of Texa 'GROVER C. RUHMANN,

citizens of the United in thelcounty of s, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fuel Economiz'ers and Carbon the following is a specification.

The invention relates to-a fuel economlzer and carbon reducer or elim nator for use in connection with automobileand other inter Reducers, of which nal combustion motors, one object of the invention being to provide simple, reliable and efiicient means, readily applicable to any ordinary type of automobile or other watercooled internal combustion motor, whereby steam and vapor generated in the radiator may be withdrawn therefrom and separated from any water carried off therewith and such steam and vapor admixed with the fuel charges to secure more complete combustion of the fuel and greater power therefrom,- and with a consequent reduction of carbon 7 deposits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the stated character which is-simple of construction and adapted to be manufactured and readily installed at a comparatively low cost, which is free from working parts liable toget out of order or cause frequent repairs, and which embodies means for ensuring a thorough separation of water from steam and vapor, the supply of steam and vapor only to the fuel supply system and the positive discharge of the separated water through a preferably 1 grade fuels, and which will yield greater mileage in the use of, the grades of gasoline and like fuels in common use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts,

hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being'had to'the accom' panying drawing, in which lgure 1 is a sectional elevation of'theinvention as applied for use .in connection with a radiator and intake elementiof' a fuel supply system of an automobile or like motor.

line 2+2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa verticalsection on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.'

' In the illustratede'mbo Figure 2 isa horizontal-section on the diment of our in vention, we have shown the device in'co-n nection with only such parts of the power; system of an automobile or other vehicle as are necessary forits'pra'ctical disclosure, 1

designating the air intake tube of the Cal".

bureter of the motor, and 2 a. radiator of.

any ordinary or preferred construction, said radiator having the usual filling nipple 3 provided with the closure cap 4. Y

Communicating with the top of the radi ator, above the level of the water line thereof, is'an overflow pipe 5 This pipe 5 allows the generated steam and the overheated water rising above the normal 'water level" to discharge from the radiator in the usual manner. The pipe 5 extends outwardly at the rear of the radiator a detachable coupling 6 and is united by and an elbow 7 with the water and steam inlet 8 of a T union 9, having a steam and vapor delivery outlet 10 connected with a suction pipe 11. The delivery end of this suction "pipe 11 projects slightly into the mouth of the air intake tube 1, in spaced relation to the walls thereof, so that under the suction of the engine a partial vacuum will be' created in the pipe 11 through air flowing into the tube the action of the 1, without interferring with the air intake action. The union or couplm-ghead19 is'provided with a third passage or nipple 12 extending downwardly therefrom and arranged intermediate of its ends Sand 10, which nipple 12 enters the upper or mouth portion of a separator 13. flector or baffle plate 14- inlet and outlet passages tends a distance downwardl 12. The water and stea A' vertically disposed delies between the 8 andlO and eX- In overflowing or y into the nipple.

drawn from the radiator through the pipe 5 and entering the head 9 through its entrance passage 8 strikes this baffle plate or deflector 14, causing the water and steam to flow downwardly into the nipple 12, and preventing direct passage of the same from the inlet to the outlet 10. The water is thus caused to flow by its greater specific gravity into the separator 13, while the lighter steam and vapor pass around the lower end of the baflie 14 and upwardly on the other side of the bafiie and discharge through the outlet 10 into the pipe 11 for delivery to the air intake tube 1. By this means a positive primary separation of the steam and lighter watery vapors will be effected, and provision made for their rapid passage to the fuel supplying system of the 7 engine, while the solid water and the heavier watery vapors flow downwardly into the separator 13 and are prevented from passing to the motor with the steam and lighter watery vapors.

The separator 13 comprises a double trusto-conical chamber formed of an upper conical section 15 and a lower conical section 16 having their bases abutting and united, such cone sections being thus arranged in opposition to each other. Arranged in the upper conical compartment or cone section 15 is a concavo-convex baffle plate 17 having its concaved side facing upwardly and forming a collecting cup, said baflie being provided with a central opening 18. Extend ing horizontally through the base of section '13 immediately beneath this baflie 17 is a pipe 19. One end or leg 20 of this pipe form a filling or priming pipe having a water inlet 21 normally closed by a removable plug or other suitable closure 22. The

other arm or leg 23 of pipe 19 is coupled at its outer end to a vertical discharge pipe 24. Between the ends or legs 20 and 23 the pipe 19 is provided with a central pipe section 25 extending downwardly into the lower conical section or chamber 16 of the water separator to a point near the lower end there- 01. Pipe 24 has a terminal portion 26 which may extend through the base of the radiator 2, for the final discharge of the overfiow water at the proper point where such water is usually discharged from an ordinary over fiow tube.

The pipe 25 form the short leg, the pipe 2 1 the long leg and the pipe 28 the connection between such legs of a siphon discharge device, through which the water trapped in the chamber 13 will be discharged automatically from said chamber when it reaches the horizontal level therein of the pipe portion 23, while the pipe 20 serves as a water inlet by which water may be supplied to the lower portion of the water trap for the purpose of initially priming the siphon for action and performing this priming action whenever such becomes necessary. Disposed in the lower cone section 16 of the water chamber or trap is a concavo-convex bafiie plate 27 having its convexed face upwardly disposed and provided with an opening 28 through which the pipe 25 projects, such opening providing a passage for the down flow of water into the lower portion of said section 16. At its lower constricted end or apex the section 16 i provided with a drain valve or cook 29 which is normally kept closed, but which may be opened whenever desired for the purpose of discharging from the trap any refuse matter or for draining water from the trap for convenience at any time in flushing and cleaning the same or for other purposes.

In the operation of the device, the siphon is first primed by introducing water through the pipe 20 into the bottom section 16 of the water separator until the lower end of the siphon intake leg 25 is submerged, the plug 22 then being applied to seal said pipe 20. When the motor is set into action steam and moisture laden air, at all normal temperatures in the radiator, pass under their pressure and are drawn by the suction induced in the pipe 11 into pipe 5 and pass therefrom into the upper section 15 of the water separator 13, being deflected downwardly thereinto by the bafiie plate 1 1. Any particles of water passing with the steam and vapor will strike the battle 1 1 and be caused to trickle down the same into the chamber 13, while the steam and vapor pass around ,the lower edge of the battle and into the pipe 11 and from the same into the air intake pipe 1 or other proper part of the fuel supply system. The pipe 5 also receives the normal overflow water in the radiator, when the cooling water is heated and rises to an ab normal extent, this water flowing through the pipe 5 to the separator with the steam vapor, the steam and vapor discharging through the pipe 11 while the water flows into the upper section 15 of the trap 13, together with the heavier portions of the vapor which may then be drawn by the induced suction through the pipe 11 and pass into the carbureter or intake manifold, the heat of the engine causing this heavier vapor to be vaporized for admixture with the steam and lighter vapor with the fuel charges. The water flowing into the trap or separator 13 strikes the upper concavo-convex bafiie plate 17, whereby its motion is retarded, and then flows through the opening 18 into the space between the battle plates 17 and 27 through the opening 28 in the bafi'le plate 27 into the lower portion of trap section 16 if the latter is not filled. This water contained in the separator or trap, being normally of high temperature, will keep the trap heated and thereby prevent condensation of the steam and vapor. When the water in the trap the water from the separator and discharge it through the final" outlet or discharge pipe 26. f i

n practice, whlle the pipe 11 isshown as arranged for. cooperation with the air-intake 1' of the 'carbureter, it may be con-" nected'with the fuel intake manifold, the

object being to deliver the steam and vapor to the fuelsupply' system at any suitable point for admixture with the fuel charges supplied to the engine? Also the pipes .5, 24 and'26 ma be arrangedfin' any convenient manner or the performance of their functions, and if desired the device may be so disposed that the pipe; 19 will be disposed above the highest level of the'water in "the radiator, in which event thepipe 26may be arranged to return the overflow water to the water chamber; instead of discharging it to the atmosphere. It will be; observed that great separating efliciency is. secured by the construction defined, and that therefore no water can-pass with the steam and vapor to the carbureter orintake manifold of the engine. The devioejmay be' applied to 7 existing automobiles conveniently by cutting.

awaythe ordinary overflow pipe at suitable distances from itsupper "and lower 7 ends,

leaving its upper and lower ends remaining and connecting the pipe- 5 to the upper end o'fthe overflow pipe and the pipe 24'to the, lower end of the overflow pipe, so that the.

normal arrangementof the inlet and {outlet ends of the overflow pipewill not be "dis.- turbed The upperbaflie plate 17- checks thejdown flow of water entering the separator from pipe 5, andprevents violent agitationof the water beneath and irregular or premature action ofthe siphon. The lower baffle plate" 27" acts in a similar capacity and prevents. violent up andjdown motion'of thewater'in the lower portion of the separator. The

twobafiies operating in conjunction prevent the water in the'separator from sloshing and from being dashed'up into the suction pipe. 11 undervibrations or tilting 'motions of the car. A positive and certain action of the separator is thus ensured under all con ditions. Withdrawal of the steam and vapor' from the radiator" as "fast as formed fis; secured through the suction pull in the pipe 11", as Well. 3.S 'tl'13.t occurring throughf'the. formation of a partial vacuum "in the upper portion of chamber 15; By this means a large percentage of the heat generated in the radiator will be constantly abstracted,

keeping the water in tliefradiator and the motor itself cool, preventing. the motor from becoming overheated in the] event of derangement-of the air fan We have found that by-this'rapid extraction of heatthe use. of: a fan for cooling purposes isnot always necessary: Itwill be observed. that thejtwo baifle disks 17 and'27 arein spaced relationship, and that through this relationshipan intervening {compartment is formed between them, which intermediate compartment; is in commun i'cation with the upper, separating chamber through the opening18 and with the lower water. collection or trap chamber through the opening '28. The disk-- 17 has its conc'ave'd face facing upwardly, n th refere. @1 1 th m s u e d p s d in the upper separating chamber flows upon this disk. and is guided bythe sloping surf faces of-its convex side toward the opening 18 and" thence flows into the intermediate chambenz: The ;moisture discharging into the intermediate chamber, if itdoes notpassl immediately through the opening .28 into the trap chamber, is retained in the intermediate chamber and is held therein" until its rises to a level abovethe levelof' the convex face of the disk 27 and flows over the same to the opening 28. 'By this means a' more 'or less' regular and even flow of the water -to' the trap chamber is, insured and the passing of the-water in spasmodic columns or jets to the trap chamber prevented. Asa result, the intermediate chamber may serveas an overflow: chamber from the trap chamber, in the event of the passage of any considerable body 01; amount of water to the separatoratany time from theradia-' tor, while at the same time the flow of the water in spasmodicjets, such as would be liable'to' cause irregular or improper action of the-siphon, will be effectually prevented and the siphon kept primed at all times for action.u .This beneficial result, is due, as wil'l be readily. understood, to the desired construction and. arrangement of the "upper,

-mitsof theextension of the pipe 2 0 there.-

through in such a manner as'to avoid interference with the separating action. and the of the water by siphonic action he ej from the trap chamber.

' We'have also-found in practice that by the use'of thisdevice, which may be readily V and conveniently V applied to any i automobile or q otherjinternal combustion motor using i' radi e 5 er ling d vice. i s equivalentyrfrom. whlch steam and vapor mayb .e 'aet edmi d w h u charges passing' to the 1 engine cylinders, a mis y; ee-l ap s supp i h h increases the ooinbus'tibility of the fuel mix turefand hence its power, allowing low grade gasoline to be usedwith efiiciency, and allowinglcommercial grades tobe used with grea t" i omy in th y of e u ing g e t mileage on a given percentage of fuel, and with a reduction of carbon deposits. The

engine will thus operate with greater power and economy and be kept in much better condition, avoiding the necessity of frequent removal of carbon in the ordinary ways and correspondingly reducing wear and tear on the valves and other working parts. I

An important advantage of our device is that it not only ensures the entire separation of the water from the steam and vapor, and prevents condensation of the Vapor in the water trap, but ensures the withdrawal from the radiator and supply to the engine of the steam and vapors as fast as produced in the radiator, thus performing the double function of keeping the radiator at a low tern-V perature and supplying the fuel supply system of the motor with a constant stream of vapor to secure greater power and greater working efficiency of the engine and economy in the use of fuel.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim 1. In a vaporizer for internal combustion engines, a water and steam separator com prising a casing having an upper water and vapor receiving chamber and a lower water containing chamber, admission and discharge passages communicating with the inlet of the upper chamber, a bafiie plate disposed between said passages and extending downwardly into said inlet, a perforate bafile plate in the upper chamber of the casing, a perforate baffle plate in the lower chamber of the casing, and means for discharging water from said lower. chamber. 7

2. In a vaporizer for internal combustion engines, a water and vapor separator comprising a casing having an upper vapor and water receiving chamber and a lower water receiving chamber, admission and discharge passages communicating with the upper chamber, a concavo-convex baflle disk in the upper chamber provided wlth a central opening and having its concave side facing upwardly, a concavo-convex baflle disk in the lower chamber provided with a central opening therein and having its concave side facing downwardly, and means for discharging water from the lower chamber.

3. In a vaporizing device for internal combustion engines, a water and vapor separator having an upper water and vapor receiving chamber and a lower water receiving chamber, admission and discharge passages communicating with the upper chamber, perforate baflle plates in said chambers, and a priming and siphon discharge device comprising a horizontal pipe extending through the casing between said baffle plates and having its opposite end portions forming a priming pipe and the central portion of a siphon tube, respectively, said priming pipe being provided with an inlet and a closure therefor, an intake siphon leg depending from said horizontal pipe through weaves the perforation in the lower baflle plate into the lower portion of the lower chamber, and a long siphon leg communicating with the outer end of the intermediate siphon portion of the horizontal pipe.

4. In a vaporizing device for internal combustion engines, a Water and steam separator comprising a casing having an upper frustoconical chamber and a lower frusto-conical chamber, said chambers being arranged in opposition, a connection at the upper end of the upper chamberprovided with admission and discharge passages, a baflie between said passages, a concavo-convex centrally perforated baffle plate in the upper chamber having its concave side facing upwardly, a centrally perforated concavo-convex baffle plate in the lower chamber having its convex side facing upwardly, and a siphon discharge device including an outer leg portion, an intermediate portion communicating with the casing between said bafiie plates, and an inner leg portion extending therefrom down- Wardly through the perforation in the lower baffle plate to the portion of the lower casing therebelow.

5. In a vaporizer for internal combustion engines, a water and steam separator having an upper separating chamber, a lower article collection chamber, and an inlet with admission and discharge passages communicating with said separating chamber, a baffle plate disposed between said passages and leading intothe inlet, bafiies in, said separator between said chambers for preventing vertical movement of bodies of water therein, and means for periodically draining the Water from said collection chamber;

6. In a vaporizing device for internal combustion motors, the combination of a separator having an upper frusto-conical portion and a lower frusto-conical portion, a

connection at the upper end of the upper frusto-conical portion provided with admission and discharge passages, a baflie disposed between said passages, a perforate bafile plate in the upper frusto-conical portion of the separator, a perforate bafiie plate in the lower frusto-conical portion of the separator, and a siphon discharge device having its intake leg communicating with the lower frusto-conical portion of the separator below the baflie therein;

7 In a vaporizing device for internal combustion motors, a separator comprising an upper frusto-conical portion and a lower frusto-conical portion, a connection at the upper end of the upper frusto-conical portion provided with admission and discharge, passages, a partition or deflector between said passages, a perforate bafiie plate in the upper frusto-conical portion of the separator, a perforate baffle plate in the lower frusto-conical portion of the separator, and a siphon discharge device including a pipe ill) MEI)

passing through the chamber between said legs, and'a discharge leg connected with the baflies and having a limb extending through said end of the pipe. the lower partition into the lower compart- In testimony whereof we aflix our signa- 1 ment of the separator, one end of said pipe tures.

5 forming a filling connection having a detachable closure, the other end of said pipe GROVER C. RUHMANN. forming a cross portion between the siphon ELO E. PARKER. 

